Lampre-Merida had lined up Damiano Cunego as captain for the Criterium du Dauphiné but in yesterday's first mountain stage of the race. However, the Italian had a bad day and lost more than 19 minutes and instead it was Kristijan Durasek who took over the reins by finishing 18th.

After several year at smaller continental teams, Kristijan Durasek earned a contract at the highest level with Lampre-Merida for the 2013 season. The Croatian had a difficult first season but showed flashes of the potential that has allowed him to be described a a great climbing talent.

His major breakthrough came at the prestigious Italian one-day race Tre Valli Varesine which he won and this year he has continued his upwards trajectory by putting in a strong showing in the Tour of Turkey. Those results have put him in contention for a spot on the Tour de France roster and yesterday he proved that he is ready for a debut in La Grande Boucle when he finished 18th in the first mountain stage of the Criterium du Dauphiné.

"Today I think it was a good performance, considering that I am coming back from a period of training and for the first time in some time faced a difficult race in the mountains," he said. "I set a good pace in the first section of the final climb. Then I realized that I had problems changing my pace. I have to improve the change of pace but for the rest I had a good feeling."